Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

This is my process when considering a new purchase and how age and condition comes into play. I have found that the Number 1 rule regarding collectible items is to always ask questions so you don't get stuck with the Number 2 rule which is "Buyer Beware". A lot of information about collecting is very subjective so you need to do the research up front and find out the most detail you can BEFORE any purchase.

My opinion on condition is to ignore the number scale entirely - and just ask the seller what's wrong with the toy. Ask for specific details on areas where wear appears, what the wear actually is, the extent, etc. It never hurts to ask for pictures. If the seller is sincere and isn't just dumping a toy to either replace or simply get rid of it, they'll understand where you're coming from and oblige you happily.

I can come to terms with a toy that, say, has some rubs on the toes and maybe has a mark or two on the tag that isn't very noticable. "C-9" doesn't mean anything to me.

There was recently a few plastic tag Bandai's on eBay. Ones I wanted very badly. The auction read "mint/near mint." Sounded good. I asked the seller what wear appeared on the toy to discover several teeth had "noticable" paint chips (big no-no for me) and that the plastic tags were bent near the tag holes. He didn't have time to get me pictures. I passed.

Factory flaws, while certainly annoying, don't hit me as "wear" and certainly don't devalue the toy in my eyes. A loose '91 Godzilla and a Transforming Mogera are my two examples. The Godzilla has a few tiny bubbles in the vinyl of the head and the Mogera has two very thin scratches on the chest which are clearly covered up and almost filled in by the silver-ish paint. Bubbles in the vinyl don't happen before the toy leaves the factory and I am 100% certain the Mogera was scratched before it was painted. It's almost flawless otherwise. You can barely notice either unless you stare at it a few inches away and only at a certain light angle with the Mogera. Neither bothers me and I consider them both otherwise "near mint."

Tim